Cutting board and washer system and method

ABSTRACT

A cutting board integrated with an associated washing device is provided. The washing device includes a kitchen appliance such as a dishwasher. The cutting board is configurable with the washing device in a variety of ways. The cutting board is incorporated into the washing device and extendable from the front of the washer for use in preparing food. After use, the board is retracted back into the washer for cleaning.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/155,254 filed on Mar. 1,2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for anypurpose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to kitchen accessories, including a cutting boardand washer assembly.

BACKGROUND

Many living spaces are limited in size, especially in the kitchen area.In such cases, a kitchen may include insufficient countertop spacethereby making it difficult to easily prepare food. For example, akitchen with little countertop space may not enable a person to use acutting board in tandem with a mixing bowl and a stovetop.

In addition, when a cutting board is used and becomes soiled, using asmall sink to clean the cutting board often results in splashing watercausing a mess.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cutting board washer system thatincreases the amount of usable countertop space while providing amess-free cutting board cleaning procedure.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, one or more embodiments are provided below fora cutting board and washer assembly including a washer including aninternal washing compartment, and a cutting board slidably coupled withthe washer and configured to translate from a first position to a secondposition, wherein the first position places at least a portion of thecutting board outside the internal washing compartment and the secondposition places a majority of the cutting board inside the washingcompartment, wherein placement of the cutting board in the secondposition seals the internal washing compartment closed.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes atray slidably coupled to the washer and adapted to releasably secure thecutting board in either the first position or the second position.

In another embodiment, the tray includes a recess configured to hold thecutting board.

In another embodiment, the recess includes a circumferential ledge andan open bottom.

In another embodiment, the recess includes a mesh bottom.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes atleast one water jet configured within the internal washing compartmentand positioned to clean at least a portion of the cutting board when thecutting board is placed in the second position.

In another embodiment, the cutting board includes an upper surface and abottom surface, and the at least one water jet is configured to directlyclean the upper surface and the bottom surface.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes alight emitting sanitization device within the internal washingcompartment configured to irradiate at least a portion of the cuttingboard when the cutting board is placed in the second position.

In another embodiment, the light emitting sanitization device includesan ultraviolet germicidal irradiation device.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes adebris catcher positioned below the cutting board and configured tocatch debris when the cutting board is placed in the first position.

In another embodiment, the debris catcher includes a spooled sheetconfigured to unspool when the cutting board is placed in the firstposition.

In another embodiment, the spooled sheet is configured to respool whenthe cutting board is placed in the second position.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes ascraping device positioned to scrape at least a portion of the spooledsheet as the sheet respools upon placement of the cutting board into thesecond position.

According to another aspect, one or more embodiments are provided belowfor a cutting board and washer assembly including a washer including aninternal washing compartment, a tray slidably coupled with the washerand configured to translate from a first position to a second position,wherein the first position places at least a portion of the tray outsidethe internal washing compartment and the second position places amajority of the tray inside the washing compartment, and a cutting boardremovably coupled to the tray.

In another embodiment, placement of the tray in the second positionseals the internal washing compartment closed.

In another embodiment, the recess includes a circumferential ledge andat least one of an open bottom and a mesh bottom.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes adebris catcher positioned below the cutting board and configured tocatch debris when the tray is placed in the first position.

In another embodiment, the debris catcher includes a spooled sheetconfigured to unspool when the tray is placed in the first position andto respool when the tray is placed in the second position.

In another embodiment, the cutting board and washer assembly includes ascraping device positioned to scrape at least a portion of the spooledsheet as the sheet respools upon placement of the tray into the secondposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention aswell as the methods of operation and functions of the related elementsof structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture,will become more apparent upon consideration of the followingdescription and the appended claims with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, all of which form a part of this specification. None of thedrawings are to scale unless specifically stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows aspects of a cutting board and washer system in accordancewith exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 2 shows aspects of a cutting board and washer system in accordancewith exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIGS. 3A-3B show aspects of a crumb catching device in accordance withexemplary embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, the system and method according to exemplary embodimentshereof includes a cutting board integrated with an associated washingdevice. In some embodiments, the washing device may include a kitchenappliance such as a dishwasher. The cutting board is configurable withthe washing device in a variety of ways. For example, the cutting boardmay be incorporated into the washing device and extendable from thefront of the washer for use in preparing food. After use, the board maybe subsequently retractable back into the washer for cleaning.

In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIG. 1 , the cuttingboard and washing system 10 includes a washer assembly 100 including awasher 102, and a cutting board assembly 200 including a cutting board202. The system 10 also may include a sterilizer system 300 as shown inFIG. 2 adapted to sterilize the cutting board 202. The system 10 mayinclude other components or elements as necessary for it to fulfill itsfunctionalities as described herein or otherwise.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1 , the washer assembly 100includes a washer 102 (e.g., a dishwasher) or other type of enclosedwashing assembly. The washer 102 may generally include a left side 104,a right side 106, a top 108, a bottom 110, a front 112, and a back 114.

For the purposes of this specification, the system 10, and morespecifically, the washer 102, will be described primarily as including adishwasher appliance. However, it is understood that the system 10 mayuse any type of washer and that the scope of the system 10 is notlimited in any way by the type of washer it may utilize.

In some embodiments, the washer 102 includes a primary internal washingchamber 116 for holding and washing items such as dishes, glassware,pans, eating utensils, and other items. The front 112 may include a door118 that may be opened to provide access to the primary inner chamber116 so that the items may be inserted into the chamber 116 to be washed,and subsequently removed from the chamber 116 when the washing iscompleted. In some embodiments, the washer 102 includes a secondaryinternal washing chamber 120 positioned above (or in any other suitablelocation with respect to) the primary chamber 116. The secondary chamber120 may be adapted to receive and clean the cutting board 202 asdescribed in other sections. It will be understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art upon reading this specification that theprimary washing chamber 116 may be removed and that the secondarywashing chamber 120 may be used without the primary chamber 116 toperform the functionalities required of the system 10. For example, thesystem 10 may be integrated into a countertop without the need for theprimary washing chamber 116.

In some embodiments, the washer 102 includes one or more water jetspositioned within the primary and/or secondary washing chambers 116, 120to provide pressurized water streams adapted to clean items withineither chamber 116, 120. This will be described in further detail inother sections.

In some embodiments, the cutting board assembly 200 includes a trayassembly 204 that removably receives and supports the cutting board 202.The tray assembly 204 may be configured with the washer 102, e.g., withthe secondary chamber 120, to facilitate (i) the insertion of thecutting board 202 into the washer 102 for cleaning, (ii) the extendingof the cutting board 202 out of the washer 102 for use, and (iii) thesupporting of the cutting board 202 while in the extended position (foruse as a cutting surface). In this way, the cutting board 202 may bedrawn out of the chamber 120 and used (at which time the board 202 maybecome soiled from preparing food items), and subsequently retractedinto the chamber 120 for cleaning.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1 , the cutting board 202 includesa top cutting surface 208 and a bottom cutting surface 210, both ofwhich may be utilized for cutting items. The cutting board 202 maycomprise plastic (such as nylon, polyethylene (PE), high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), or other suitable plastics), rubber, wood, marble,metal, other suitable materials, and any combinations thereof. In someembodiments, either surface 208, 210 may be generally smooth, and/or mayinclude grooves or other surface textures or design elements. Becausethe cutting board 202 may be removable from the tray 205, the board 202may be positioned within the tray 205 with either side 208, 210 facingupward for use. For example, a first surface 208 may include a roughenedtexture best suited for cutting bread while a second surface 210 mayinclude channels to guide blood and other juices to a specified locationon or off the board 202 best for disposal into the washer 102 (e.g.,when cutting raw meat). In other embodiments, the cutting board 202 mayinclude two or more cutting boards 202, each cutting board 202 withsurfaces and/or other elements designed for cutting and/or preparingdifferent types of food (e.g., bread, meat, fruits, vegetables, etc.).

In some embodiments, the tray assembly 204 includes a tray 205 includinga receiving portion 206 adapted to removably receive and hold thecutting board 202 secure and stable. In some embodiments, the receivingportion 206 includes a recess shaped and dimensioned to receive thecutting board 202 and to hold it firmly flat. Accordingly, the perimeterof the receiving portion 206 may generally match the size and shape ofthe cutting board 202 when the cutting board 202 is laid flat (either onits top cutting surface 208 or on its bottom cutting surface 210).

The bottom of the receiving portion 206 may be generally open with acircumferential ledge to hold the perimeter edges of the cutting board202. In other embodiments, the bottom of the receiving portion 206 mayinclude a grid (e.g., a wire grid) so that when the tray 205 isretracted within the washing chamber 120, the tray 205 also may be usedto hold cutlery or other items during the cleaning process. In thiscase, the cutting board 202 may or may not be configured with thereceiving portion 206.

In other embodiments, the receiving portion 206 may include side supportstructures and/or front and/or back support structures (e.g., pegs,ledges, walls, etc.), that may removably hold the cutting board 202 inplace. It is understood that the tray 205 may utilize any type(s) ofmechanisms to removably receive and hold the cutting board 202 in placeas required for the cleaning and/or use of the board 202.

It may be preferable that the cutting board 202 be removable from thereceiving portion 206 so that it may be removed and used to deliverprepared food or other items to other areas (e.g., to serve freshly cutfruits or vegetables to the dinner table, to move freshly cut meat to apan for cooking, etc.). In some embodiments, the receiving portion 206may include detents, latches, locking pins, or other mechanisms to holdthe board 202 in place that may be released to remove the board 202 asrequired.

In some embodiments, the tray 205 is extendable outward horizontallyfrom the front 112 of the washer 102. It may be preferable that the tray205 extend outward generally perpendicular to the front 112 of thewasher 102, but the tray 205 also may extend outward at other angles. Inthis way, the tray 205 may generally resemble a drawer in itsfunctionalities.

In some embodiments, the tray assembly 204 includes rails, rollers, orother guide structures (e.g., on the left and right sides) to facilitatethe movement of the tray 205 into and out of the washing chamber 120.

In some embodiments, the tray assembly 204 includes gaskets or othertypes of sealing mechanisms that provide a watertight junction betweenthe tray 205 and the washer 102 when the tray 205 and board 202 arereceived into the washing chamber 120 for washing. In this way, watermay not leak from the washing chamber 120 when the tray 205 is retractedand the board 202 is being cleaned.

As is known in the art, a user of the cutting board 202 may exertdownward pressuring to the board 202 while cutting food items on theboard's 202's top surface. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the trayassembly 204 is structured to provide a rigid base to the cutting board202 when the tray 205 in its extended position. In this way, the cuttingboard 202 may be used proficiently. For example, it is preferable thatthe tray assembly 204 be designed to bear a predetermined amount ofweight sufficient to ensure that the cutting board 202 remain generallylevel during use. In some embodiments, the tray assembly 204 may bedesigned to support up to 100-200 lbs. or more.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 2 , the secondary chamber 120includes at least one upper water jet 122 and/or at least one lowerwater jet 124. The upper water jet 122 is configured to clean thecutting board's top surface 208 and the lower water jet 124 isconfigured to clean the board's bottom surface 210. In some embodiments,the lower waterjet 124 also may be configured to clean items in theprimary chamber 116 from above. The upper and lower water jets 122, 124may be used simultaneously, individually, and in any combination. Inaddition, the washer 102 may be controlled to utilize water jets to washitems in the secondary compartment 120 only, in the primary compartment116 only, or in both compartments 116, 120 simultaneously. Air jets alsomay be provided for drying. Note that the upper and lower water jets122, 124 are represented in FIG. 2 as blocks to indicate that the jets122, 124 may include any type and/or configuration of one or morecleaning jet(s) as is known in the art.

In some embodiments, the washer 102 may be controlled to use any of thewater jets 122, 124 and/or air jets to provide a quick rinse of thecutting board 202 as the board is extended and/or retracted.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 2 , the secondary chamber 120 mayinclude an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system 300configured to sterilize the cutting board 202 prior to, during, or afterthe cleaning process. The system 300 may include one or more irradiators302 positioned above, below, to the side(s) and/or in any position toadequately sterilize the cutting board 202 (preferably on both sides208, 210) when desired.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cutting boardassembly 200 includes a debris catcher 212 that extends out from thewasher 102 in unison with the tray 205 to generally cover the bottom ofthe tray assembly's 200's receiving portion 206 when in the extendedposition. In this way, the debris catcher 212 may catch crumbs and othertypes of debris that may fall from the top surface 208 and/or from thebottom surface 210 of the cutting board 202 when extended and in use.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 3A, the debris catcher 212 includesa spring-loaded spooled sheet 214 of silicon, rubber, or other suitablematerial with the free end of the sheet 214 attached to the cuttingboard assembly 204 at or near the front of the tray 205 and with thebody of the spooled sheet 214 positioned below. In this way, as shown inFIG. 3B, as the tray 205 is extended from the washing chamber 120, thespooled sheet 214 may unspool and generally cover the bottom of the trayassembly's 200's receiving portion 206. Then, when the tray 202 isretracted back into the chamber 120, the spring-loaded sheet 214 mayautomatically respool for storage. As the sheet 214 is respooled, anydebris that it may have collected on the sheet 214 during use of thecutting board 202 may be discarded into the chamber 120 and subsequentlyremoved during the cleaning process.

In some embodiments, the debris catcher 212 includes a scraper 216configured to scrape debris from the top surface of the sheet 214 as thesheet 214 is respooled and retracted back into the chamber 120. Thescraper 216 may include a spring-loaded knife or other type of edgepositioned to ride along the upper surface of the sheet 214 as the sheet214 is respooled. In this way, debris stuck to the sheet 214 may beremoved by the scraper 216. The scraped debris may be disposed of asdescribed above.

In some embodiments, the front of the tray assembly 204 may includecontrol elements (e.g., buttons, dials, etc.) that may be used tocontrol the washer 102.

In other embodiments, the top 108 of the washer 102 may include a dooror lid that may be opened to provide access to the cutting boardassembly 200 within the chamber 120 from above. This embodiment may bepreferable when the washer 102 is a stand-alone washer 102 and notpositioned below a countertop.

It is understood that any aspect or element of any embodiment describedherein may be combined with any other aspect or element of any otherembodiment to form additional embodiments all of which are within thescope of the system 10.

Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the process may operate without any userintervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some humanintervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of ahuman).

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So,for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. Inthe context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all ofthe conversation.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some”means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., thephrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs,” and includes thecase of only one ABC.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means“based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is notexclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based inpart on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unlessspecifically stated by use of the word “only,” the phrase “based on X”does not mean “based only on X.”

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “usingat least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means“using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word“only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word“only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into thatphrase.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “atleast partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does notmean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y”means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not meanthat “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including inthe claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs fromY in at least some way.

As used herein, including in the claims, a list may include only oneitem, and, unless otherwise stated, a list of multiple items need not beordered in any particular manner. A list may include duplicate items.For example, as used herein, the phrase “a list of XYZs” may include oneor more “XYZs”.

It should be appreciated that the words “first” and “second” in thedescription and claims are used to distinguish or identify, and not toshow a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, the use of letter ornumerical labels (such as “(a)”, “(b)”, and the like) are used to helpdistinguish and/or identify, and not to show any serial or numericallimitation or ordering.

No ordering is implied by any of the labeled boxes in any of the flowdiagrams unless specifically shown and stated. When disconnected boxesare shown in a diagram, the activities associated with those boxes maybe performed in any order, including fully or partially in parallel.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cutting board and washer assemblycomprising: a washer including an internal washing compartment; and acutting board slidably coupled to the internal washing compartment andconfigured to translate from a first position to a second position,wherein the first position places at least a portion of the cuttingboard outside the internal washing compartment and the second positionplaces a majority of the cutting board inside the internal washingcompartment; wherein placement of the cutting board in the secondposition seals the internal washing compartment closed; furthercomprising a debris catcher positioned below the cutting board andconfigured to catch debris when the cutting board is placed in the firstposition, wherein the debris catcher includes a spooled sheet configuredto unspool when the cutting board is placed in the first position. 2.The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 1 further comprising: atray slidably coupled to the internal washing compartment and adapted toreleasably secure the cutting board in either the first position or thesecond position.
 3. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 1wherein the tray includes a recess configured to hold the cutting board.4. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 3 wherein the recessincludes a circumferential ledge and an open bottom.
 5. The cuttingboard and washer assembly of claim 3 wherein the recess includes a meshbottom.
 6. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising at least one water jet configured within the internal washingcompartment and positioned to clean at least a portion of the cuttingboard when the cutting board is placed in the second position.
 7. Thecutting board and washer assembly of claim 6 wherein the cutting boardincludes an upper surface and a bottom surface, and the at least onewater jet is configured to directly clean the upper surface and thebottom surface.
 8. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 1further comprising: a light emitting sanitization device within theinternal washing compartment configured to irradiate at least a portionof the cutting board when the cutting board is placed in the secondposition.
 9. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 8 whereinthe light emitting sanitization device includes an ultravioletgermicidal irradiation device.
 10. The cutting board and washer assemblyof claim 1 wherein the spooled sheet is configured to respool when thecutting board is placed in the second position.
 11. The cutting boardand washer assembly of claim 10 further comprising: a scraping devicepositioned to scrape at least a portion of the spooled sheet as thesheet respools upon placement of the cutting board into the secondposition.
 12. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 10 furthercomprising: a scraping device positioned to scrape at least a portion ofthe spooled sheet as the sheet respools upon placement of the tray intothe second position.
 13. A cutting board and washer assembly comprising:a washer including an internal washing compartment; a tray slidablycoupled to the internal washing compartment and configured to translatefrom a first position to a second position, wherein the first positionplaces at least a portion of the tray outside the internal washingcompartment and the second position places a majority of the tray insidethe internal washing compartment; and a cutting board removably coupledto the tray; further comprising a debris catcher positioned below thecutting board and configured to catch debris when the tray is placed inthe first position, wherein the debris catcher includes a spooled sheetconfigured to unspool when the tray is placed in the first position andto respool when the tray is placed in the second position.
 14. Thecutting board and washer assembly of claim 13 wherein placement of thetray in the second position seals the internal washing compartmentclosed.
 15. The cutting board and washer assembly of claim 13 whereinthe tray includes a recess configured to hold the cutting board.
 16. Thecutting board and washer assembly of claim 15 wherein the recessincludes a circumferential ledge and at least one of an open bottom anda mesh bottom.